Hangers for use in processing photographic prints



Patented Dec. l2, 1950 I-IANGERS FOR USE IN PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS Joseph H. De Lacy, Park Ridge, Ill.

Application November 17, 1947, Serial No. '786,400

The invention relatesy to hangers for use in processing photographic prints.

One object of the invention is to provide a hanger for processing paper photographic prints in a tank, winch will retain prints of diiferent sizes substantially iiat during their immersion in a solution.

Another object is to provide a hanger for processing photographic prints in a tank which includes gripping devices which hold the prints by point-contacts of minimum area on their sensitized face.

Another object is to provide va hanger whereby the prints will be retained substantially at by the. weight of one of the holding devices during .the expansion of the paper which results from saturation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger for use in processing photographic printsv in a tank, which is simple in construction, adapted for prints of diierent sizes, can be easily loaded, and is efficient in use.

Other objects will appear from the detail description.

The invention consists in thev several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly dened by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a perspective of a hanger embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section. Fig. 3 is a Vertical section illustrating the hangers in a tank.

The invention is exemplified in a hanger which is adapted to be suspended in a tank which,

preferably includes a compartment I for a developer solution, a compartment l! for a iixer solution, and a compartment I2 for washingwater, into which the hangers with the prints may be successively submerged. This hanger is usable for processing prints in a tank which possesses advantages'v over processing them in a tray.

Each hanger comprises a frame which includes a pair of vertical outer legs lli which are provided with lateral extensions i5 to rest on the rim of the tank to support the hanger with the print in suspension above the bottom of the tank; upwardly convergent inner legs I6 which terminate at the center of the hanger in a loop Il' to provide a handle for manipulating the hanger; and angular lower connecting members i3 between the lower ends of legs M and I6. Legs Ill, IB, loop Il and members i8 are preferably formed of a single strip of wire.

A cross-bar 2o extends between the upper po-rtions of legs lf3 and has its ends 2i lapped on and 5 Claims. (Cl. 95-.-1,00)

soldered to said legs; to form a stiff upper crossconnection for the frame. Bar 2G is formed of sheet metal and provided with an integral horizontal ange 22 along its upper edge which indexes the upper edge of the print. Legs It and members I3 stablize the lower portion of the frame and also prevent the print from falling through the frame while it is being loaded. A lower cross-bar 24 is freely movable vertically on outer legs I4, is formed of sheet metal, and is provided along its lower edge with a ange 21m and with integral loops or eyes 2&0 which eX- tend around legs Hi to slidably connect the bar 24. to the frame. Eyes Zlib: are elongated to freely guide bar 2d vertically so that it will drop by gravity when the hanger is suspended vertically and also to permit a limited longitudinal movement of said bar.

A gripping device for the upper margin of the print is mounted on a fixed upper bar 2i] and a similar gripping device for the lower margin of the print is mounted on the freely slidable lower bar 2t so that the lower bar acts as a weight for holding the print under a predetermined degree of tension and holding it fiat during suspension of the hanger in the tank. The upper gripping device ycomprises a plate 26 which is soldered to bar 2@ and legs i6 adjacent handle i'i and is provided with ears 2l; a plate 2li which is provided with ears 29; a pivot-pin 3U which extends through ears 2l and 29; a bar 3! of wire having its straight central portion soldered to pivoted plate 28 and extending along the flange 22 of fixed bar 2o, and provided with helical terminals 32 with pointed ends 33 which are adapted to coact with the front face of bar 2t to grip the margin of the print and hold it parallel to the ange 22 of bar 2li; and a coil spring 33 around pivotpin 3B for urging the pivoted plate 28 and bar 3f to press terminals 32 toward the front of bar 2U for gripping the upper margin of the print. The lower gripping device is mounted on slidable bar 2li and is adapted to grip the lower margin of the print so that bar 24 will be suspended by the print and the weight of said bar and gripping device will exert a predetermined tension on the print and in its plane while the hanger is suspended in the tank. This lower gripping device comprises: a plate 36 which is soldered to the back face of bar 2&5, and provided with ears 31; a pivoted plate 38 which is provided with ears 3i); a pin 4Q, pivotally connecting ears 3G and 39; a gripping member il formed of wire and soldered to plate 38, and provided with helical terminals d2 with pointed ends for engaging the print; and

a coil spring 43 around pin 423, for causing the margin of the print to be gripped between terminals 42 and bar 24.

The outer ends of angular members I8 of the frame are adapted to limit the downward movement of the slidable bar 24 away from xed bar 2), and the lower ends of said members act as a guard for preventing the lower bar 24 from being inadvertently struck or displaced by any object, such as the bottom of the tank. The eyes 24h on slidable bar 24 are elongated to permit limited longitudinal movement of said bar, and prevent binding between said bar and legs I4 in the event that the print is not accurately co-related in the gripping devices. Bars 2t and 24 are perforated to permit the solution to iiow there through. The metal used in the parts is of the type which is, resistant to photographic solutions. The angular legs It are disposed closer to the longitudinal center of bar 24 than the terminals #l2 so that when the hangers are positioned in sidc-by-side relation in the tank, these legs will contact the straight portion of bars 4I so to prevent Contact of the gripping devices with the sensitized face of' a print in an adjacent hanger and so that the helical terminals 42 will not interfere with the placement; and removal of the adjacent hangers into and out of the tank.

In the use of the hanger, it is held horizontally while being loaded. The upper margin of the print, with its sensitized face up and its other face resting on legs I6, is inserted between terminals 32 oi the upper gripping device and bar 2E! along flange 22, while the pivoted plate 23 is depressed against the orce or spring When plate 28 is released one margin of the print will be securely gripped in the frame, with contact on the sensitized face only at the points on the ends of the helical terminals 32. During insertion of the print into the gripping device, the helical terminals will guide the print into position so it will be gripped as closely as possible to its edge and so that there will be minimum contact with the sensitized face of the print. Next, the opposite edge of the print will be similarly inserted and gripped between the terminals 42 of the lower gripping device and bar 24, the latter being freely slidable on legs it for such insertion of prints oi diiferent sizes. The loaded hanger is then ready for suspension in the developing solution in compartment i, and is supported vertically therein by extension i5 on the frame which hold the frame above the bottom of the tank so that the print will no-t be affected by any sediment in the bottom of said compartment. During the development of the print, its saturation will cause the paper to expand and the weight applied verti cally to the print by the bar 2d and the gripping device thereon will apply a predetermined but not excessive tension 'to keep the print substan tially flat. This is of importance in the processing of paper prints. After the paper has become saturated, its tear-strength is reduced. If the frame with the print is moved transverse to the faces of the print in the solution, the print is free to bow or flex between the upper and lower gripping devices because the lower gripping de vice is free to rise when the pressure becomes sufficient to overcome the weight of bar 24 and said device. Il. the print is not accurately centered in the frame at the upper gripping device, the limited free longitudinal movement of bar 215 permitted by eyes 241i, prevents any binding between legs i4 and bar 24. After the print has been developed in compartment l0 it can be successively transferred to compartments Il and l2 for fixing and washing. The frame is readily adapted for use in processing prints of diierent sizes Within a desired range, for example, a print a of the size shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and a print a' indicated by dotted lines, all of which will be held under tension by the gravity of the lower bar 24. The upwardly convergent legs i6 provide clearance for the hand in manipulating the lower gripping device.

The invention exemplifies a hanger for use in processing photographic prints, which is eicient in use, simple in construction and adapted r for prints of diierent sizes.

The invention is not to be understood to be restricted tothe details described since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

l-laving thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hanger for photographic prints during duid treatment comprising a frame provided with suspension means and a cross-bar and a device for gripping a margin of the print, including a gripper bar of wire pivotally supported on the bar' and provided with helical end portions for guiding the print into position for gripping and terminating in points for spot contacting the print, and spring means for urging the points to grip the print between the bar and said spots.

2. A hanger for photographic prints during fluid treatment, comprising: a frame provided with suspension means; a cross-bar provided with a face adapted to be engaged by the back-face of the margin ci the print, and a longitudinal flange for positioning the edge of the print on said face; and a spring-pressed gripper bar pivotally supported on and extending longitudinally of the cross-bar and formed of Wire provided with helical end-portions for guiding the print to said face of the bar, and terminals for spot engagement with and pressing the print against said face adjacent said ilange to frictionally grip the prints.

3. A hanger for photographic prints during fluid treatment, comprising: a frame provided with suspension means; a cross-bar provided with a face adapted to be engaged by the back-face `of the margin of the print, and a longitudinal flange for positioning the edge of the print on said race; and a spring-pressed gripper bar pivotalli,7 supported on and extending longitudinally of the cross-bar formed of wire and provided with helical end-portions for guiding the print into engagement with said face and against the ilange and having terminals for spot engagement with the print to press it against said face for frictionally gripping without perfor-ating the prints.

4. A hanger for plhotographic prints during fluid treatment comprising: a frame provided with suspension means and outerv side legs spaced apart longitudinally for prints of different sizes and formed of wire; inner legs of wire joined to the lowerl ends of the side legs, the outer side legs and inner legs; an upper crossbar extending between and fixed to the outer side legs and inner legs; a spring-pressed device on said upper crossbar for gripping the upper margin of the prints; a lower crossbar having its ends longitudinally slidable on the outer side legs and extending across the front of the inner legs; and a spring-pressed gripping device on the lower bar forV gripping the lower margin of the prints; the lower` bar when the lower margin of the print is gripped thereon, being free for suspension by the print without substantial frictional resistance.

5. A hanger for photographie prints during fluid treatment comprising: a frame provided with suspension means and outer side legs spaced apart longitudinally for prints of different sizes Vand formed of wire; upwardly convergent inner legs of wire joined to the lower ends of the side legs, the outer side legs and inner legs and handle being formed of wire; an upper crossbar extending between and xed to the side legs and inner legs; a spring-pressed device on said upper crossbar for grip-ping the upper margin of the prints; a lower crossbar having its ends longitudinally slidable on the outer side legs extending across the front of the inner legs; and a spring-pressed gripping device on the lower bar for gripping the lower margin of the prints; the lower bar when the lower margin of the print is gripped thereon,

6 being free for suspension by the print without substantial frictional resistance.

JOSEPH H. DE LACY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS m Number Name Date 1,214,408 Barr et al Jan. 30, 1917 1,323,369 McKelvey et al Dec. 2, 1919 1,391,982 Schreiber Sept. 27, 1921 1,405,892 Berger Feb. 7, 1922 1,666,895 Gollomb Apr. 24, 1928 1,929,283 Miller Oct. 3, 1933 2,410,131 Sardeson et al Oct. 29. 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 616,694 France Oct. 30, 1926 510,446 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1939 

